Heatwave, fog and thundershowers forecast for Monday

NATIONAL NEWS - The South African Weather Service (Saws) has released its regional forecast for Monday, 16 March.

According to the weather service, no impact-based warnings or fire danger warnings will be in effect.

Two advisories, however, remain active heading into the day.

Saws cautioned that “very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected in the Western Cape and the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape.”

The weather service further warned that “heat wave conditions with persistently high temperatures are expected in places over the western parts of the Northern Cape and the western parts of the Western Cape extending into the interior parts of the Eastern Cape.”

Regional weather forecast:

Western Cape
The Western Cape is in for an intense and dangerous day.

Saws warned of “very hot to extremely hot” conditions across much of the province, with morning fog patches expected in the south.

It will be hot in places in the south and south-west.

Isolated showers and thundershowers are expected over the eastern half of the province in the afternoon.

Coastal winds will be moderate to fresh north-westerly along the west coast, turning fresh to strong south-easterly, “reaching very strong along the south-western coastline”.

Meanwhile the south coast can expect moderate to fresh south-westerly winds becoming fresh to strong easterly by evening.

Saws rated the expected UVB sunburn index for the Western Cape as very high, strongly urging residents to take precautions against prolonged sun exposure.

Eastern Cape

The western half of the Eastern Cape will be partly cloudy and warm to hot, with isolated showers and rain in places along the coast.

Saws said it “will become cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers over the interior in the afternoon,” with coastal winds beginning light and variable before turning moderate south-westerly.

The eastern half will similarly be partly cloudy and warm to hot, with isolated showers and thundershowers expected.

Saws forecast moderate to fresh north-easterly winds along the coastline, turning south-westerly by evening.